Tapering-charge regulator.



W. A. TURBAYNE.

TAPERING CHARGE REGULATOR. APPLICATION FILED JAN.15, 1912. RENEWED JULY 28.1916.

1 ,1 97, 1 62 Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

eds.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. TUBBAYNE, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB, B! MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO 17. 8. LIGHT & HEAT CORPORATION, OF NIAGARA. FALLS, NEW YORK, A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TAPEBING-CHABGE REGULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

Application filed January 15, 1912, Serial R0. 671,287. Renewed .Tuly 28, 1918. Serial No. 111,962.

To all whom it'may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. Tox- BAYNE, a citizen of the United States, res1ding at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tapering-Charge Regulators, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact descriptlon, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, formlng a part of this specification.

My invention relates to automatic electric regulators.

One of the objects of the inventlon is to 'provide an improved modified-constant-potential regulator.

Another object is to Erovide a very sensitive regulator of the vi rating contact type, a high rate of vibration being obtained without the use of auxiliary devices.

Additional ob'ects will be apparent from the more detailed description hereinafter given.

For the purpose of disclosing the invention, I have illustrated one form of my regulator which is shown connected in circuit in a car lighting system. The invention may, of course, be embodied in other forms, and is adaptedfor use in systems other than car lighting systems.

The views in the drawings are as follows Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation ofthe form of regulator referred to showing the same connected in a car lighting system. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of certain modified elements of the re lator. Fig. 3 is a diagram of a further modi cation.

The operation of the preferred form of regulator illustrated will be readily understood by considering it in connection with a car lighting system. Such a system is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1 and includes a variable speed generator having an armature 1 and shunt field winding 2 with a storage battery 3 and lamp circuit 4 connected across the external circuit 5 in parallel branches. I

The regulator proper includes a resistance which is shown connected in series with the shunt field winding of the generator. The resistance is arranged preferably in two sections 6 and 7, each of which is normally short-circuited. The section 6 is normally short-circuited by the abutting contacts 8,

one of which is relatively fixed and the other.

of which is preferably mounted on and insulated from the upper end of a movable plunger 9 held in uppermost position by means of an adjustable sprin 10. The section of resistance 7 is simi arly short-circuited by abutting contacts 11,0ne of which is mounted on the movable plunger 12 held in uppermost position by a spring .13, which is preferably stronger than the spring 10, or which is preferably adjusted to an increased tension, or both.

Each plunger is adapted to be drawn down against the action of its spring by the increased ener 'zation of a series connected coil 14 or a s unt connected coil 15, these coils acting accumulatively. The series coils are connected in the external circuit supplied by the generator, in order to respond to fluctuations in the generator current, and are also connected in series with each other. If desired, an adjustable shunt 16 may be connected across the terminals of the coils 14 in order that said coils may be made to re-' spond'to any desired pre-determined current values.

The shunt windings 15 are connected across the generator terminals in order to respond to the voltage developed by the generator. When the generator is at rest and the relation of the various parts of the system is as shown in Fig. 1, these voltage responsive windings are connected in parallel with each other and in series with the resistance 17, in their common path. These voltage responsive coils 15 form the redominating magnetizing windings and 1f acting alone would tend to regulate the generator to maintain the volta e thereof constant. The regulation efl'ected' y these windings is due to increased energization thereof and caused by a tendency toward voltage increase of the enerator above a pre-determined point, wiereupon the plunger 9 is drawn down against the action of the spring 10, which is the weaker of the two spr ngs, thereby opening the short circuit which normall exists around the section of resistance 6. his section is accordingly inserted momentarily in circuit with the generator field winding 2, thereby tending to reduce the voltage and reducing the energization of the coils 15, whereby the spring 10 again causes the short-circuiting of this portion of the resistance. The cycle of operations just de- 10, the corresponding increased energization of the other voltage winding would be sufiicient to cause it to overcome the pull of its spring 13, whereby ara id up and down movement or vibration o the plunger 12 would take place, thereby introducing the section of resistance Tin the circuit for successive short intervals of time, the section of resistance 6 bein continuousl in circuit under these circumstances.

While it have illustrated and described only two sections of resistance and corresponding short circuiting contacts, it is apparent that the number may be increased to meet varying requirements. It should be noted that the upper terminal of the lefthand voltage coil 15 is connected to the movable contact 8 of the pair of short circuiting contacts for the resistance section 6.

v The upper terminal of the right-hand voltd ll age coil 15 is connected to the fixed contact 11 of the pair of short circuiting contacts for the section of resistance 7 The circuit through thesecoils may be traced from the positive side of the line through the short circuiting contacts 8, thence to the common junction point 19. From point 19 one branch of the circuit extends directly to the left-hand coil 15. The other branch of the circuit extends to the short circuiting contacts 11 and through these contacts directly to the other coil 15. Said branch circuits reuniting at the point 20 are con nected through the resistance 17 to the negative side of the line.

The voltage responsive coils 15 are adapted to respond at such a value as to hold the generator toa voltage suiiicient to send the charging current through the battery against its maximum back pressure or C. E. lid. 15. Such a voltage value, however, would send an abnormal current through the battery during the early stages of the charging period or when the battery was in a depleted condition. In order to limit the value of the current furnished to the storage battery therefor, the series windings 1 1 are adjusted to respond to such a current value as to properly modify the generator voltage so as to prevent an unduly heavy current from entering the battery. The plunger 9 will be attracted when the magnetization imparted by both the voltage responsive winding and the current responsive winding exceeds a certain value, and by virtue of the regulating action of the corresponding section of resistance, the effect will be to maintain constant undervalue is obtained, the automatic switch 21,

the action of which is well understood, will close, thereby connecting. the battery and work circuit across the generator terminals. With continued rise in speed of armature rotation an increasing current will flow into the external circuit until that pro-determined value is reached for which the regulator is adjusted to act. When there is .a tendency to exceed this value, one or both of the separable the manner previously described, thereby causing resistance to be inserted in the generator field circuit of an average value sufficient to maintain normal conditions, these actions being repeated throughout the whole range, of speed through which the generator operates. I

When the regulator contacts are in short circuited position, the voltage responsive coils 15, as previously stated, will be connected in parallel directly across the generator terminals through the resistance 17. Upon separation of the contacts 8, however, and consequent momentary interposition of the resistance section 6 in the exciting circuit, the left-hand voltage coil 15 will no longer be connected through the contacts 8 but will be instantaneously connected in circuit with the said resistance section 6, and its energization decidedly decreased due to the voltage drop across said resistance section. As a result of this decreased energization, the spring 10 will immediately return the plunger 9 to normal short circuiting position, whereupon the cycle of operations will be repeated at a very rapid rate. The effect of this connection is to modify the vibrations over what they would be if the voltage winding 15 were connected otherwise, the modified vibrations resulting in a greatly increased sensitiveness of regulation. The same efilect is produced by the right-hand voltage winding 15 when the 1 plunger 12 is vibrating. It is apparent,

therefore, that a very rapid rate of vibracontacts will be opened in tion is attained and very sensitive re lation secured without the use of auxi iary apparatus or hi h speed coils, no additional. coils being use over and above those re- 3 quired for the performance of the main re latin functions.

t will e at once ap bined action of the coi s sult in a tapering charge of the battery 3, for the reason that as the battery approaches full charge and the C. E. M F rises, the generator will be able to force less current into said battery.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated a regulator which operates in' substantially the same manner as that just described and in which the cores 22, of the regulating windings are stationar only the armatures 23 being pivoted. T e inertia of the moving parts is thereby reduced.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a further modification in which the vibratingarmatures have assumed the form of resilient'reeds 24 of ma etic material adapted to be drawn down in response to the energization of the regulating windings and also released thereby in the whereby a very rapid rate of vibration is obtained. It is apparent that various'other mechanical arrangements are possible which .permit the short-circuiting action to take place at a rapid rate.

I do not desire to limit myself to the forms of regulators selected for the pur ose of illustratingmy invention, nor do I e'sire to limit myself to the use of the same in a car arent that the com- 14 and 15 will relighting system. In general I desire tocover broadly suitable equivalent means for accomplishing the desired results as long as such 40 means all Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In combination with a circuit to be reg ulated, a resistance normally short-circuited adapted to be inserted in said circuit, shortcircuiting contacts for said resistance, and a coil for operating said contacts, said coil being connected across said circuit on the side of said resistance and short circuit re-. supply, whereby mote from the source of when said contacts are closed the said coilis subjected to the full voltage of said circuit and when said contacts are open said coil is subjected to the full voltage of the circuit reduced by the drop across said resistance. I

2. In combination with a generator to be regulated, an automatic electric regulator so having a series solenoid, a .shunt solenoid, and short-circuiting contacts, one of which is adapted to vibrate at a rapid rate in res onse to the energization of one or both of sairfsolenoids, said shunt solenoid being connected in series with said contacts and acting to regumanner previously described,

"shunt field .winding,

ance, one of said contacts acting cumulatively to cause sai said contacts in paralle late said generator for constant voltage, said series solenoid acting to modify the efiect of said shunt solenoid in accordance with the load supplied by said generator.

3. In combination, a variable voltage source, means for regulating said source comprising a resistance, a short circuit around said resistance, a vibrating contact controlling said short circuit, and a coil for operating said contact, said coil being connected across the system on the side of said resistance and short circuit remote from said source, whereby when said short circuit is closed, said coil is subjected to the full voltage of said source, and when said shortcircuit is open, said coil is subjected to the voltage of said source reduced by the drop across said resistance, said elements cooperating to produce a rapid vibration of said contacts to regulate the voltage of said source.

4. In a system ofelectrical regulation, a voltage responsive winding for regulating to a constant value the voltage of the source of electric energy, a current responsive winding for modifying said voltage regulation in accordance with the load conditions of said system, said windings acting through short circuiting contacts, a fixed resistance, one of said contacts vibrating at a rapid rate to open and close a short circuit around said re ulating resistance, said voltage winding being connected in series both with said contacts and with said resistance, whereby when said contactsopen said resistance becomes effective to reduce the energization of said winding.

5. A system of electrical distribution com rising a variable speed generator having a a storage battery and translating devices connected across the external circuit of said generator, a regulating resistance adapted to be connected in series with said shunt field Winding, separable contacts normally short circuiting said resistbeing adapted to vibrate at a rapid rate to control the mean effective value of said resistance, a current rea voltage res onsive coil vibrations, said current responsive coil being connected insaid external circuit and said voltage responsive coil being connected across the same, the connections to said voltage responsive coil includin said resistance and branches, the energi- 'zation of said voltage winding being reduced whenever said contacts separate.

6. In a car lighting system, a variable speed generator, a shunt field Winding therefor, a storage battery and lamps connected across the external circuit of said generator, a regulating resistance adapted to be connected in series with said shunt field winding for re lating purposes, a voltage responsive solenoid connected across the generator terspon'sive coil and minals to give a predominating constant potential regulation-to the system, whereby said battery will receive a tapered charge, a current responsive solenoid connected in said external circuit to modify the action of said voltage responsive solenoid, whereby the current supplied to said battery is varied in accordance with the condition of the same, said solenoids having a common core adapted to vibrate rapidly in response to the energization of said solenoids, a. contact carried by said plunger and cooperating with a relatively fixed contact to maintain a short circuit around said resistance when said solenoids are deenergized, said contacts being adapted to open and close 'said short circuit at a rapid rate when said plunger vibrates, thereby controlling the effective value of said resistance, said voltage responsive solenoid being connected across the circuit through said vibrating contacts.

7. In a car lightingsystem, a variable speed generator, a shunt field winding therefor, a storage battery and lamps connected across the external circuit of said generator, a. regulating resistance adapted to be connected in series with said shunt field winding for regulating purposes, a voltage responsive solenoid connected across the generator terminals to give a predominating constant potential regulation to the system, whereby said battery will receive a tapered charge, a current responsive solenoid connected in said external circuit to modify the'action of said voltage responsive solenoid, whereby the current supplied to said battery is varied in accordance with the condition of the same, said solenoids having a common core adapted to vibrate rapidly in response to the energization of said solenoids, a contact carried by said plunger and cooperating with a relatively fixed contact to maintain a short circuit around said resistance when said solenoids are denergized, said contacts being adapted to open and close said short circuit at a rapid rate when said plunger vibrates, thereby controlling the effective value of said resistance, said voltage solenoid being connected across the circuit through said vibrating contacts and being connected also in series with said resistance, whereby the 'energization of said solenoid is reduced whenever-the generator voltage is reduced by said vibrating contacts and to a greater degree. v

8. An automatic electric variable-speed shunt-wound generator, com: prising a resistance adapted to be connected in series with the shunt field winding of said generator, a short circuit around said resistance, separable contacts in said short circuit, one of which is adapted to vibrate at a rapid rate to open and close said short circuit for regulating purposes, a voltage regulator for a source, and a coil connected responsive solenoid adapted to be connected across the generator terminals to cause said vibrations and thereby maintain the generator voltage within predetermined limits, a current responsive coil adapted to be connected in the external circuit of said generator to modify said vibrations in response to Variations in the current supplied by said generator, the circuit connections to said voltage responsive solenoid including said resistance and said contacts in parallel branches, whereby when said contacts separate said resistance becomes effective to decrease the energization of said voltage responsive solenoid, thereby efi'ecting a rapid rate of vibration and an increased sensitiveness in the regulation.

9. In combination with a variable-speed shunt-wound generator, a resistance adapt ed to be inserted in series with the shunt field of said generator, a short circuit around said resistance, a contact controlling said short circuit adapted to rapidly vibrate to control the-effectiveness of said resistance, and a coil for vibrating said contact, said coil being connected across ,the circuit from said generator, on the side of said resistance and short circuit remote from the generator, to provide for rapid vibration of said contact.

An automatic electric regulator, comprising a resistance having two sections connected in series, a shunt circuit around each section, and means for rapidly opening and closing each of said shunt circuits, said means including a voltage responsive solenoid connected in series with each of said resistance sections, said voltage responsive windings being normally connected in parallel relation with each other, said means including also a current responsive solenoid associated with each of said voltage respon sive solenoids to modify the effect thereof, said current responsive solenoids being connected in series with each other.

11. In combination with a variable voltage source, a resistance divided into sections for regulating said source, a short circuit around each section of said resistance, a contact controlling each short circuit adapted to be rapidly vibrated to control the effectiveness of its resistance, and means for operating each contact, said means comprising a coil connected in serieswith the across the source on the side of its corresponding resistance remote from the source, whereby the effect of said last named coil will be de"- creased when the short circuit around its resistance is broken, said arrangement providing for a rapid vibration of said con-. tact.

12. In combination, a shunt-wound generator, a resistance for regulating the shunt field thereof, and a winding for controlling the value of said resistance, said winding being connected across said generator when the value of said resistance is a minimum, and said winding being connected across said generator through said resistance when said resistance attains a maximum value, whereby the energization of said winding is decreased to a greater extent than the voltage of said generator.

13. In combination, a variable-speed shunt-wound generator, a resistance adapted to be inserted in series with the shunt field thereof, a short circuit around said resistance, a vibrating contact for rapidly 15 making and breaking said short circuit, and

nesses.

WILLIAM A. TURBAYNE. Witnesses:

ALEX. RUssnnL, E. P. HANNIG. 

